The Forrest City times., 1887-10-29
CHAPTER xLvL.
A TELEGRAM.

ADPN ohN AiShOhcltc hllcu the al
 with perfume; the sunlight looked mellow and golden, the sky was blue and clear; the breath of the summer air wss like rare, rich wine. The Duk, and Duchess of Meath still remained at Oakcliffe-Lord Stair seemed unabl, and unwilling to part with them. Or thls lovely June morning they were out on the beautiful lawn where the old cedar stood where the green grass was studded with flowers, and the birdi were singing in the big branches oi the trees. Lord stair enjoyed feeding the blue pigeons; it was one of hil daily occupations.
 A pretty, homely group; the duchess with white veil thrown over her beau tiful head; her morning-dress of pal, rose and white; the jewels on her dain- ty hands shining in the sun; the fairesI picture of a lovely woman ever seen on summers day. The duke lay stretched upon the grass with his cigar and morning paper. If life were but all June roses and sunlight
 "Fulke," said the duchess, looking up suddenly from her book to her nus band, "shall We go abroad this year !'
 ''lfyou like" he said "but not for very long; l want to be at the Castle for the autumn"
 Her fair face clou dd over and she sighed deeply.
 II am afraid" she said, 'sthat I shall never feel quite happy at Meath again. l do not like a house that has the shadow of a crime upon it."
 "There are very few houses which have not some kind of shadow upon them."
 That was horrible, and always feel that l am responsible for it. If had not asked the poor creature to go there 1t would never have happened"
 "l am not so sure of that, If she was sent, as every one seems to think, to Claverlng for the purpose.
 That I shall never believe" said the duchess, earnestly. "When remem- Der her grateful surprise and delight at my inyitatlon-but 1 will not speak oi 1t. It has quite spoiled my beautiful home for me. l could never drive from the Castle into Clavering without passing No. Lime Terrace, and could not bear that. never wish to See the tapestry-room where that ter I tOiO oNSbO eISutIru aHa Haiu
 You are morbid on the subject, Ethel" said the duke, quietly; as he spoke Lord Stair turned to them.
 Here Is Groves" he said, "and un- loss l am mistaken he brings tele- gram"
 "I dread telegrams," said the duch- ess, with shudder, "they general y bring bad news"
 She little dreamed that this was the most important that any of them could ever receive in their lives.
 The old butler grown gray in the service of the Stairs, hastened to the duke; formldable-looking yellow tele- gram lay on silver salver.
 For your grace" said the old ser want. "Will there be any answer?"
 ''I will tell you when 1 have read it, i" said the duke.
 He opened 1t half carelessly, but when he read the words he sprung to his feet With a cry.
 "They are found, Ethel" he cried, "absolutely all found. Do you hear Lord Stair ?--the jewels are all found. I will read the telegram to you.
 '"From Henry Barton, London, to His Grace the Duke of Meath. Oakcliffe Towers. I have found the thief; he is a man-James Bentley. Won derful to add, we have found the who ie of the jewels. l do not think there is one missing. Committed for trial-sure the jewels down?'"
 "What a strange thing" cried Lord Stair. "l suppose the pursuit has been too hot and too heavy. They dared not make any effort to dispose of them. A fine annoyance, too, for profession al thief to have so many thousand pounds worth of diamonds by him and not able to touch one. Groves, the jewels are found."
 ''I am delighted to hear it, your grace" said the butler.
 What anawer shall send, Ethel? l had better tell him to bring them down at once"
 "Yes, 1t win be best" she replied.
 So the telegram was written out and sent, and for the remainder of that day at the Castle there was great ex- citement.
 Il never thought they would be all recovered" said the duchess.
 She was sitting After dinner at the open window of the drawing-room, where years ago her beautiful young mother had sat with Darcy Este by her with the keen criticising eyes of Lady Perth; her fair face was troubled.
 The discovery of the jewels must mean even worse tidings for Mrs. Grey.
 The duchess looked very lovely and very beautiful that June evening; her dress of white lace and gold-the splen- did opals that she wore seemed to have caught the last rays of the setting sun. She looked like beautiful picture framed by the white jasmine that grew in such rich abundance round the window.
 The two gentlemen were walking up and down the terrace outside, and the still ran upon the dia- monds.
 "Now," said Lord Stair, i've shall be able to do what I have slw avs long ed to do--solve the mystery that hangs over Mrs. Grey"
 "The solution will be commonplace said the duke. "We shall find I expect, that she is eithec the wife or sister of this James Bentley, and was sent by him to prepare the way"
 "very likely" replied Lord Stair. .sThis man Bentley will be sure to get a heavy sentence, penal servitude for fifteen years, I should think"
 And serve him right. EthePs life has been quite clouded by this robbery it was wonderful to see what in- fluence Mrs. Grey had over her. l shall be glad when 1t is all ended and l can take Ethel abroad for a time. l was SO grieved to hear what she said about Meath Castle"
 f'She will get over that" said Lord Stair. "She is young and impression able. This is the first time she has been brought face to face with crime. She told me herself that the first time she saw the detective she turned sick with horror. You must make allowance for her feelings on the matter, the shadow will pass from the Castle in time"
 On the morning following, there came by post long letter from the detective, Mir. Barton. or course he claimed the five hundred pounds, and there's was no doubt but the capture was owing